UNIT JAWAHARLAL NEHRU

Structure
Objectives
Introduction
Basic Features of Nehru's Political Thought
Nehru's Legacy to the Indian Nationalist Movement
Nation-Building after 1947
Views on Socialism and Social Revolution
National Economy as the Basis of Nationalism
Nehru's Scientific Outlook
Independent Foreign Policy and National Freedom
International Outlook
Let Us Sum Up
Key Words
Some Useful Books ,
Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises

23.0 OBJECTIVES
The objective of this unit is to explain the main features of Nehru's views on
nationalism and social revolution. His contribution to the thinking on socialism is also
noted. All these are explained in the background of Modem Indian Political Thought.

23.1 INTRODUCTION
Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964) was well-known as a political actiirist. But his
contribution to Modem Indian Political Thought is as significant as his political
activities. During the past phase of Indian nationalist movement, his status as its
leader was only next to that of Mahatma Gandhi. When India became independent in
1947, he became its Prime Minister and until his death in 1964, he occupied that
position. And for a long time, he was also the Foreign Minister. He was also an
historian. He wrote an excellent autobiography while he dealt, among other matters,
with the record of British rule in India, and the survey of the Indian nationalist
movement. Before India became free, he spoke and wrote at length on various
problems facing India and the world. Even after he had become the Prime Minister,
he continued to speak on the problems facing free India and the nuclear world. He
also corresponded with eminent writers and statesmen. From the written and verbal
responses he made to them and from the explanations he made to defend and
elaborate his ideas, his views on political thought in general and on nationalism and
social revolution in particular emerged.
Nehru was influenced by Marxist thinking. He had a good grasp of Marxist
Literature. Marxist philosophy gave a new orientation to his thinking. He acquired
clarity in understanding on the Indian Society. He states "The Marxian philosophy
appeals to me in a broad sense and helps me to understand the process of history."
Nehru's socialist thinking had an other dimension. His visit to Russia helped him to
understand the dynamics'of the socialist economy. He could have a comparative view
of the western capitalism as well as the soviet society. Lenin's contribution to Russian
Revolution "produced a powerful effect" on him. The way Lenin applied Marxism in -
a backward society like Russia and brought a total transformation created high regard
for Lenin in Nehru's mind. Henceforth, Nehru tried to look at India's problems from
a different angle. Nehru states, "Our problems in India today are the same as those
that faced Russia s o w years ago and they can be solved in the same manner in which
Russians solved theirs. We should draw a lesson from the USSR in the way of
industrialisation and education of our people."

Check Your Progress Exercise 1

Note: i) Use the space given below for your answer.
ii) Check your answer with that given at the end of the unit.
Nationalism and Social 1) Briefly mention the influences on Nehru.
Rcvulution-1 (Socialism)

23.2 BASIC FEATURES OF NEHRU'S POLITICAL

THOUGHT
Nehrb wanted the model of Democratic Socialism which suits Indian traditions and
ethos. He was influenced by Fabian Socialism of Britain. Many of the active members
were his friends. He was of the opinion, that Parliamentary politics is the means of
achieving socialism. Multiple social groups and ideological groups will strengthen
Indian democracy. Pluralism will become the ideological foundation of individual
liberty and societal demands must have a beautiful reconciliation.

23.3 NEHRU'S LEGACY TO THE INDIAN

NATIONALIST MOVEMENT
During the last phase of the Indian national movement, Gandhi was its most
prominent leader. Next to him was Jawaharlal Nehru. He made a distinctive and
specific contribution to it and to Indian nationalism.
The first was the international outlook developed by Indians under Nehru's guidance.
Alrmost all the important resolutions of the Congress working committee on world
affairs were drafted by him.
Nehru made visits to the Brussels Conference on anti-imperialism. He conceived
India's struggle for freedom as a part of the struggle of other dependent peoples
against imperialism.
H e attracted the socialists, the communists, the representatives of trade unions and
the peasants to the nationalist movement by making repeated statements that the
national struggle for freedom was not only for political freedom from foreign
domination, but for social equality and freedom from p6verty as well. In other words,
he gave an economic content to it.

23.4 NATION-BUILDING AFTER 1947

The tasks before a leader, who was the head of the government, were different from
that of a leader of the nationalist movement, which had the objective of achieving
freedom for the country. Until freedom was achieved the single objective of achieving
indlependence kept different political forces united and the most dominant political
force eclipsed all others. In India these different political forces before 1947 were : the
liberals, the Hindu militants, the communalist Muslims, the Gandhians, the Congress
socialists, the communists and regional political forces based on linguistic forces.
Nehru was historically called upon to unite these forces or fight against the
seaessionists and promote Indian nationalism. After the creation of Pakistan, the
Muslim separatists were not a major force. Gandhi's martyrdom at the hands of a
Hindu fanatic weakened the Hindu fanatics after 1948. But it was the relentless
ideological fight against them led by Nehru which made them politically and
administratively weak. If India remained as a modem state and civil society and the
fact that a larger number of Muslims were living in freedom and security in India than
in Pakistan, it was because of Nehru's continuous preaching of secularism in India.
 Nehru made it clear that religion has no function in public life, particularly in politics- Jawaharlal Nehm
Nehru's secular thinking shaped under the influence of liberal western education. As
a liberal, he separated politics and religion. Religion has no function in politics, when .,
religioui 'forces get active in politics, they become communal. Nehru differentiated
majority communalism from minority communalism. He thinks that majority
communalism can grow into fascism. In making the Indian constitution secular and in
providing equal rights to all religious groups Nehru's contribution is significant. The
Indian state remains a secular and democratic state without any allegiance towards
any religion.

Check Your Progress Exercise 2

Note: i) Use the space given below for your answer.
ii) Check your answer with that given at the end of the unit.
1) What were the basic features of Nehru's thought?
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2) ~ r i e fdiscuss
l~ Nehru's legacy to the national movement.
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23-5 VIEWS ON SOCIALISM AND SOCIAL

REVOLUTION
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Nehru believed in planned economyfor maximumutiiisation of resources. He did not
favour nationalisation of private capital. In his scheme of economic development,
mixed economy should play a prominent role. Both public sector.and private sector
must help each other in removing poverty and the other basic problems of Indian
Society.
The above was based on the socialist idea that the market economy and the
unregulated capitalism, based on profit-making basis, alone, should n.ot determine
the character of economy. Nehru wanted the public sector to have commanding
..
heights in the economy. That is why he wanted the public sector to play a vital part in
regard to the development of heavy industries like steel and the explohtion of oil
resources in I d a .
Industrialisation must aim in creating an equalitarian society. In Nehru's scheme, big
industries with advance technology have a major role. As Nehru states that "1 am all
23.6 NATIONAL ECONOMY AS THE BASIS OF
NATIONALISM
Nehru thought that the national economy should also be the strength of nationalism.
No other Indian, liberal or Gandhian fully grasped this matter and gave attention to
it. The communists wanted to disentangle India from the Western capitalist economy
grouping. But they never realised the implication of India going too far in the
direction of communist style of planning and depending too much on the Soviet
Unhn. But Nehru took a series of steps and threw up scattered ideas in his speeches
and writings on the development of a national economy of the country. He was not
against international co-operation, but he wanted India to diversify her economy
contacts and develop her own economy with self-reliance.
Nehru realised fully weU that the formal political independence achieved by India in
1947 could be subverted by the foreign powers by their economic penetration and that
India could be converted gradually to a semi-colony. This was the economic basis of
Nehru's political thought in relation to Indian nationalism. The development of a
national economy was possible only by taking the following steps:
1) National Planning for economic development and distribution of wealth to the
people;
2) Development of Indian agriculture by "a green revolution" with the limited help
from the West and
3) The development of heavy industries like Steel and the exploration of oil with
Soviet Union's help.

NEHRU'S SCIENTIFIC OUTLOOK

This takes us to one important aspect of Nehru's thought connected with his scientific
outlook. India could have self-reliance in the economic field only with her developing
science and technology in a big way and her applying them on a large-scale in her
economic activities. Among the Congress leaders, Nehru alone openly expressed his
difference of opinion with Gandhi on this matter.
Nebru believed that the methods and approach of science have tevolutionised human
life more than anything else in the long course of history, and have opened doors and
avenues of further and even more radical changes, leading up to the very portals of
what has long been considered the unknown. Nehru said: "It is the scientific
approach, the adventures and yet critical temper of science, the search for truth and
new knowledge, the refusal to accept anything without testing and trial, the capacity
to change previous conclusions in the face of new evidence, the reliance on observed
faats and not on pre-conceived theory, the discipline of the mind, all that is necessary
not merely for the application of science but for life itself and the solution of its many
problems."
One of the reasons Nehru advanced for India's extensive use of science and
technology was that.it would bring economic power and independence to the country.
His intention to promote a scientific outlook in the country and the extensive use of
science and technology for the promotion of economic development was also in the
direction of settling in motion a social revolution. These steps, weakened the
irrational traditions of India which was based on status and gradually replaced it by
the bourgeois outlook which was based on contract.
&other advantage of the extensive use of science and technology was that it would
make India an independent and self-reliant economic, political and military power.
Ndhru wrote to Gandhi in 1945: "I do not think it is possible for India to be really
independent unless she is a technically advanced country. 1 am not thinking for the
moment in terms of just scientific growth. In the present context of the world we
cannot even advance culturally without a strong background of scientific research in
every department. There is today a tremendous acquisitive tendency both in
inqlividuals and groups and nations, which lead to conflicts and wars."
A w r d i n g to Nehru, India should resist the foreign pressures by herself developing
her science and technology. Among many other factors, this was one of the reasons
for India's re$sal to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Primarily, India
wanted to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. And she also did not want to
give up the option to make any weapons for self-defence. This tqkes us to India's
independent foreign policy.

Check Your Progress Exercise 3

Note: i) Use the space given below for your answer.
ii) Check your answer with that given at the end of the unit.
1) Briefly comment on Nehru's views on Socialism.
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2) What steps did Nehru envisage for the development of national economy?
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3) Briefly discuss Nehru's scientific outlook.
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NATIONAL FREEDOM
In the initial statements explaining India's foreign policy Nehru claimed that it was an
independent foreign policy. Nehru developed an independent thinking in the area of
foreign policy. He could understand the dynamics of global politics. There are
basically two power blocks in international politics: Western Imperialist Block and
Soviet Socialist Block. India and other newly liberated countries should follow an
independent line. They should not be member of any block. Nehru states that, "we
should approach these problems, whether domestic or international problems in our
own way. If by any chance we align ourselves definitely with one power group, we
 may perhaps from one point of view do some good, but I have not the shadow of a
doubt that from a larger point of view, not only India but of world peace, it will do
h a w . " Nehru wanted that the non-aligned countries should function as a power
block. They should share their wealth for their prosperity.
Nehru was by no means for an India which would be isolated from the rest of the
world. His independent foreign policy was not negative. He realised that India is a
paft of'the world in regard to science, culture, economy and politics. He made the
following observation making his views clear on this matter: "Our entire society is
based on this more or less. This basis must go and be transformed into one of
co-operation, not isolated which is impossible. If this is admitted and is found feasible
then attempts should be made to realize, if not in terms of an economy which is cut off
from the rest of the world, but rather one which co-operates. From the economic or
political point of view, an isolated India may well be a vacuum which increases the
acquisitive tendencies of others and thus creates conflicts."

23.9 INTERNATIONAL OUTLOOK

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After Indiz became independent, Nehru's international outlook shaped his views and
action. He was against the cold war and the division of the powerful states into two
blocs. He tried to reduce international tension and in some cases tried to mediate
between the conflicting blocs.

Check Your Progress Exercise 4

, Note: i) Use the space given below for your answer.
ii) Check your answer with that given at the end of the unit.
1) What were the assumptions of Nehru's foreign policy?

23.10 LET US SUM UP

In the years immediately following World War 11, the conflicts between capitalism
and communism were so intense that when Nehru declared India's intention not to
join any bloc, he was considered as being unrealistic and only idealistic. Now the
disintegration of the blocs had made Nehru's outlook very relevant and realistic.
There is also a clear indication of international co-operation between the two Super
Powers now.
Inside the country also, Nehru's greatest success was that he promoted the spirit of
conciliation and negotiation between different political groups and gradually built up
political stability and consensus.
He did not succeed in setting in motion a revolution - with blood or without blood.
He succeeded in modernizing the society and economy to a large extent. The Hindu
Cade Bill was a typical exainple of a legislation which helped the Hindu society to
haire a transition from a feudal society to a modern one. This was a step in the right
direction. To sum up, Nehru created political and social stability in India and helped
in the achievement and the extension of political freedom of the country.
In his era the promotion of a national consensus was possible. All kinds of
concessions could be made and conciliation among different political groups were
possible. They were not helpful to a democratic socialist revolution. But they helped
the emergence of political stability in the country, which was helpful to a gradual
sodial change and social revolution. And this stability also helped India's emergence
as a major power in South Asia and a middle power in the international field.
 23.11 KEY WORDS
Nationalism: That human group identity that is based on common linguistic-cultural
traits in its most developed and modern form.
Social Revolution: A radical and complete transformation of so,ciety - its economy,
polity, culture, values etc.
Scientific outlook: An outlook that rejects all irrational and superstitious beliefs
I rooted in traditional conceptions and accepts science as the sole truth.
Secularism: The conception that religion has no role in politics and political life.
Socialism: The political theory that believes in replacing the capitalist system with one
I that is non-exploitative and based on social ownership of the means of production.

23.12 SOME USEFUL BOOKS

Primary
Nehru, Jawaharlal
1) Letters from a father to his daughter (Allahabad, 1929).
2) Glimpses of World History (end Volume, Allahabad, 1934).
3) An Autobiography, London, 1962.
4) The Discovery of Indja, Calcutta, 1946.
5) India's Foreign Policy. Selected Speeches, 1 x 1 , p.70.
6) Nehru on Socialism,. Edited By V.B. Singh, Delhi, 1988.
Secondary
1) Norman D., Nehru: The first sixty years, London, 1965.
2) Gopal S., Jawaharlal Nehru : A Biography, Three Volumes. Oxford University
I
Press: 1984.
3) A Gorey V. Uimyania, Jawaharlal Nehru, Moscow, 1982.
4) Brecher, Michail, Nehru: A Political Biography, London, 1950.

23.13 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

EXERCISES
Check Your Progress Exercise 1
See section 23.1

Check Your Progress Exercise 2

1) See section 23.2
2) See section 23.3

Check Your Progress Exercise 3

1) See section 23.5
2) See section 23.6
3) See section 23.7

Check Your Progress Exercise 4

See section 23.8